Dhandapani Jayakanthan, otherwise known as 'JK' among his friends and comrades, is a multi-dimensional personality, well known in the literary circle as a prolific-writer, commentator, pamphleteer, film-maker and critic. He has won acclaim for wielding his pen against social injustices and economic inequality.

A school drop-out after Standard V, he left his hometown and landed in the office of undivided Communist Party of India in Chennai. It became his university where he gained knowledge in various fields: World literature, Culture, Politics, economics and journalism.

His first short story appeared in 1953 and he has never looked back since then. His writings reflect his views on the morals, ethics and the societal norms as a whole. His wDhandapani Jayakanthan, otherwise known as 'JK' among his friends and comrades, is a multi-dimensional personality, well known in the literary circle as a prolific-writer, commentator, pamphleteer, film-maker and critic. He has won acclaim for wielding his pen against social injustices and economic inequality.

A school drop-out after Standard V, he left his hometown and landed in the office of undivided Communist Party of India in Chennai. It became his university where he gained knowledge in various fields: World literature, Culture, Politics, economics and journalism.

His first short story appeared in 1953 and he has never looked back since then. His writings reflect his views on the morals, ethics and the societal norms as a whole. His writings are vivid portrayals of life and relationships, with all the intricacies and beauty of reality, and with a profound love for the humanity. He is one among the few of the original writers of the Tamil Literature.

His famous trilogy dealing with human relationships comprises 'Agnipravesam', 'Silanerangalil Sila Manithargal', and 'Gangai Enge Pogiral'. On the non-fiction side, his works such as 'Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Arasiyal Anubhavangal', 'Oru Ilakkiyavaathiyin Kalaiyulaga Anubhavangal' have wide acclaim.

A man of insight, pride and scholarship whose writings expressed with unparalleled courage and utmost honesty speaks for all the generations to come.

A winner of Sahitya Acadamy Award and Fellowship, Jnanpith Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Russian Federation's order of Friendship and the Padma bhushan. ...more

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“The writer should have a comprehensive outlook. He should aim at a holistic understanding of the prevailing social, political and economic conditions.

He should evaluate all factors in a balanced way. To take a selective view will be erroneous. A realistic approach becomes necessary. This requires healthy literary criticism and exchange of views.

A writer should necessarily venture into his enterprise by touching on a single issue. But then he should relate it to other socially relevant issues. This is what we call the socio-spiritual approach.

You may begin your work dwelling upon the problems of an individual, but then as a writer you should be able to view it as part of the larger social reality.”
―
Jayakanthan